DUNFERMLINE 1 Higginbotham (37 pen) ST MIRREN 1 MacKenzie (46)

DUNFERMLINE maintained their play-off aspirations by extending their impressive unbeaten run in all competitions to nine games.

However, they were disappointed to drop points against basement side St Mirren, whose battling second-half performance secured them a welcome point in their fight to avoid relegation.

“The momentum’s still there,” said Pars boss Allan Johnston, “but we need to win games like this, especially when we take the lead.

“With the chances we had, we should have put the game out of sight.”

The tone of the game was established in the early stages with both teams coming close to opening the scoring.

Saints’ Stephen Mallan curled a free kick narrowly wide with fewer than 60 seconds on the clock, before Pars defender Lee Ashcroft fired in a powerful header which was saved by Jamie Langfield.

Dunfermline were utilising the pace and penetration of lively wing men Kallum Higginbotham and Paul McMullan to maximum effect as they stretched the St Mirren rearguard.

The Pars took the lead their pressure deserved in 37 minutes, Kallum Higginbotham erasing memories of his double penalty miss against Ayr United last month as he drove home from the spot after Michael Moffat had been fouled by Gary MacKenzie.

MacKenzie headed against Sean Murdoch’s left-hand post just before the interval as Saints rallied and a similar effort from the powerful defender provided the equaliser for the Paisley men just seconds into the second half as he headed home from Mallan’s corner.

Moffat shot wide from six yards and Nicky Clark was denied by Langfield as the home side pushed for the winner but the Buddies held on to secure a draw.

“We carried a little bit of good fortune today,” said Saints manager Jack Ross. “I was critical of the players last week but I was pleased with the response they gave me.”